2007 Mazda MX-5 Miata Review

Holds competition at bay with an affordable, stylish retractable hardtop.

It's surprising that Mazda's iconic MX-5 Miata has a new automatic retractable hardtop. One would have thought this would be the last auto to get such a top because it's traditionally been a "pure'' sports car like those of the 1960s, many of which even lacked roll-up windows.

The first Japanese Miata with its flip-up headlight covers arrived in 1990 as a close copy of the 1962-73 British Lotus Elan sports car, which set the standard for sports car handling and road holding in its day. The Elan was unreliable, but the Miata was dead reliable and revived the small, affordable sports car market.

Mazda is staying ahead of the game by giving the Miata (Mazda now mainly refers to it as just the "MX-5") an affordable "retractable" that doesn't detract from the car's slick styling when raised. The top only adds 75 pounds, enhances structural rigidity and doesn't consume any of the car's 5.3 cubic feet of cargo space in its nicely shaped, reasonably sized (for a small two-seater) trunk. In fact, it's the only retractable in the industry that doesn't steal cargo room.

After a driver releases a single latch and pushes a button, the cleverly engineered Miata retractable top splits in two and tumbles into an area behind the bucket seats in just 12 seconds.

Mazda gave the Miata the retractable top mainly to satisfy American customers, who want the car with more nonessential luxuries.

The Pontiac G6 and Volkswagen Eos are the only other under-$30,000 cars with retractable hardtops, which provide hardtop security or open-air driving. Miata prices go from $20,435 to $27,460. The car comes in SV, Sport, Touring and Grand Touring trim levels.

The retractable top is offered for all, except for the entry SV. The SV has an easily worked manual folding soft top with a heated glass rear window, which also is offered for all other Miata trim levels.

The lowest-cost Miata retractable is the Sport version, which costs $24,350 with a manual transmission. You then can move up to the Touring retractable, which costs $25,100 with a manual and $26,200 with an automatic. The Grand Touring retractable is $26,360 with a manual and $27,460 with an automatic. I tested the Grand Touring retractable with the manual.

The SV and Sport have a five-speed manual gearbox, while others have a six-speed manual unit. The manual has a short-throw shifter that's a breeze to use but works with a rather stiff clutch. A six-speed automatic with manual shift capability is optional for all except the SV.

The rear-wheel-drive Miata has a 2-liter four-cylinder, 16-valve dual-overhead-camshaft engine. It produces 166 horsepower with the manual and 163 with the automatic.

Estimated fuel economy is 25 mpg in the city and 30 on highways with the five-speed manual and 24 and 30 with the six-speed manual. The figures are 22 and 30 with the automatic. Premium fuel is recommended for the best performance.

As always, the Miata is a sweetheart to drive. It has super-quick steering, which some might feel is rather heavy at low speeds, and razor-sharp handling reminiscent of a go-kart's. The brake pedal has a progressive feel and stopping distances are short.


The ride is supple for a small car with only a 91.7-inch wheelbase, although the ride with the optional sport suspension, which sharpens handling, gets a little jumpy on some roads and doesn't handle bumps as well.

The Miata weighs only 2,551-2,602 pounds even with the retractable hardtop, so it's pretty quick (0-60 mph in 7 seconds) -- although a downshift from overdrive sixth gear to fifth or fourth gear is needed for fast 65-75 mph passing. Also, engine revs above 60 mph are high for the manual-transmission model despite its overdrive sixth gear.

All Miatas are much better equipped than that first 1990 model, which cost $13,800 and replaced Volkswagen's Cabriolet convertible as the high school and college car to drive. It also drew many former owners of sports cars who had given up on seeing an affordable, fun-to-drive two-seater again.

Many probably would be happy with just the standard SV, which has such items as a tilt wheel, power mirrors and windows, AM/FM/CD player, intermittent wipers and fairly wide 50-series tires on 16-inch alloy wheels.

The Sport with the manual transmission adds air conditioning, while the Sport automatic gets cruise control and power door locks with remote keyless entry. The Touring gives you steering wheel radio controls and wider tires on larger (17-inch) wheels. The Grand Touring adds leather upholstery, heated seats and a Bose sound system.

All trim levels get anti-lock disc brakes and side air bags that protect the head and torso.

Optional for the Grand Touring is a $1,250 traction/anti-skid control and remote engine start. And the $500 sport suspension with a limited-slip differential, which more effectively delivers power to the road, is offered for the Touring and Grand Touring versions with a manual transmission. There's also an optional removable hardtop for soft top versions.

Two tall adults easily fit. The bucket seats are supportive in curves, although they're rather flat and could use more padding.

One "drops in" and "climbs out" of this low-slung car, which has large outside door handles. Shorter drivers might have a hard time seeing over the high dashboard, but gauges can be quickly read, and nicely placed controls are easy to use. However, the console's twin cupholders interfere with shifting if containing beverages, and cupholders molded into the front door panels are awkwardly placed.

The retractable hardtop allows a quieter interior, although some tire and wind noise are noticeable above 60 mph with it raised. Normal conversation is easy with the top down at normal highway speeds. The exhaust system emits a genuine sports car sound, but it can be tiresome on long drives.

To some Miata fans, the retractable hardtop will seem superfluous. To others, it will be a very welcome item.

2007 MAZDA MX-5 MIATA

PRICE: $20,435-$27,460.

LIKES: New retractable hardtop. A blast to drive. Quick. Excellent handling.

DISLIKES: Thinly padded seats. Cupholders interfere with shifting. Stiff clutch.